Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 pared gains Tuesday, falling from record highs, after hardline conservative Sanae Takaichi won the lower house vote, to become Japan’s first woman prime minister.
She received 237 votes, clinching the majority of the 465-seat chamber, according to public broadcaster NHK.
The Nikkei 225 tacked on 130.56 points, or 0.3%, to 49,316.06.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index hiked 168.72 points, or 0.7%. to 26,027.55.
Hong Kong-listed shares of CATL gained 3.31% after the battery manufacturer posted strong third-quarter earnings late Monday. The Tesla battery supplier’s net profit for the July-September period rose 41% to 18.5 billion yuan ($2.6 billion U.S.).
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Kospi index ended the day higher, after hitting a sixth consecutive record high, building on a rally spurred by optimism around an impending trade deal with the U.S.
South Korean stocks have been on a roll since U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that Washington was “about to finish up” trade negotiations with the Asian country.
Auto stocks helped boost the index, with shares of Hyundai Motor climbing 3.43%, while Kia Corp added 1.14%. Heavyweight Samsung Electronics reversed course to end the session 0.61% lower, having gained 1.73% earlier in the session.
Australia’s main index rose. Shares of the country’s rare earth companies ended the day lower, after rising earlier in the session after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and U.S. President Donald Trump signed a critical minerals agreement Monday stateside, aimed at countering China’s dominance.
Lynas Rare Earths ended the day 7.56% lower, Iluka Resources fell 0.13%. However, Pilbara Minerals added 2.55%, VHM skyrocketed over 20%, while Northern Minerals rose 1.85%.
In other markets
The CSI 300 in Shanghai gained 69.65 points, or 1.5%, to 4,607.87.
In Taiwan, the Taiex index inched ahead 9.15 points, or 0.2%, to 27,688.63.
In Korea, the Kospi inched ahead 9.15, or 0.2%, to 3,823.89.
In Singapore, the Straits Times Index returned from a long weekend to gain 52.12 points, or 1.2%, to 4,381.05
In New Zealand, the NZX 50 gained 32.89 points, or 0.3%, to 13,377.85.
In Australia, the ASX 200 grew 62.79 points, or 0.7%, to 9,094.71.
